Marsha Ingram (marcingr@mars.utm.edu) from 208.47.5.42 at 10/22/01 01:39PM
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    Southern families have an involved lifestyle that exceeds what others would call “close.” Although when I hear the word family, I tend to think only of my nuclear family - my mom, brother, and sister; if I think a bit longer, I begin to include all of the others that attend at Thanksgiving. I begin to include Grandmom, my four great aunts and three great uncles, the infinite number of cousins growing each year, and many friends of my family members. It’s an incredible characteristic of the Southern family to embrace friends as family. Every person that walks in the door of my house is treated as though they were a son or daughter, even if it is the first time they have been introduced. When Daddy died over the summer, my family was extremely blessed and humbled by the giving of our church, friends, and relatives. Everyone pulled together to help us get through the tragedy. Not many people can say that about their community, and I consider it a blessing to be able to say that of mine. Yes, the South is a different lifestyle, but the pace hasn’t changed as much as it has improved. Technology lends to giving ability to allow family to keep in touch. Although, some might think that we rednecks are unable to operate the newest technological “toys,” they are sorely wrong. Thank God I’m a southern girl!